OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM

• US 3,815,935 A
• Filed: 08/25/1972
• Issued: 06/11/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trevor O. Jones
• Original Assignee: Trevor O. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Trevor O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/283,825
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 137/38,39 251/206 222/3,5 200/61.46,61.58R
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/017 including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control

Abstract

An occupant restraint system for a vehicle includes an inflator having an outlet sealed by a rupturable diaphragm and providing a source of pressure fluid. The diaphragm is ruptured by electrically fired detonators. A valve arrangement controlling communication of the outlet with an inflatable occupant restraint system includes a stationary outer cylindrical member and a rotatable inner cylindrical member. The inner and outer members have juxtaposed radial end walls. The wall of the outer member includes a circular opening while that of the inner member includes a generally teardrop shaped opening whose center line is generated about the axis of the members. Normally the openings are misaligned. A contact on the wall of the inner member and on the wall of the outer member provide a switch. Pendulous masses on the inner member function to rotate this member relative to the outer member to actuate the switch when the openings are moved to a position of alignment providing an orifice of at least a predetermined minimum area. The switch is included in the actuating circuit for the detonators.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle comprising, in combination, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, an inflator operable to provide pressure fluid for inflating the cushion, means for operating the inflator, means communicating the inflator with the cushion and including orifice means operable to provide a multiplicity of differently sized flow areas, each setting a rate of flow of pressure fluid from the inflator to the cushion, impact responsive means operating the orifice means to select one of the flow areas in accordance with the strength of a pulse generated by impact of the vehicle with an obstacle, and control means including means responsive to the operation of the orifice means by the impact responsive means for actuating the operating means for the inflator.

2. An occupant restraint system for a vehicle comprising, in combination, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, an inflator operable to provide pressure fluid for inflating the cushion, means for operating the inflator, orifice means operable to provide a multiplicity of differently sized flow areas, each setting a rate of flow of pressure fluid from the inflator to the cushion, means operating the orifice means to select one of the flow areas and thereby set the rate of flow of pressure fluid from the inflator to the cushion, and means responsive to the operation of the orifice means for actuating the operating means for the inflator.

3. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, and inflator operable to provide pressure fluid for inflating the cushion, means for operating the inflator, and a valve arrangement communicating the inflator with the cushion and including a pair of coaxial relatively rotatable members, each including an opening therein, the openings being varyingly alignable upon relative rotation of the members to provide a multiplicity of differently sized flow areas, means relatively rotating the members to select one of the flow areas in response to receipt by the members of an acceleration pulse of at least predetermined minimum amplitude and time, and means responsive to such selection for actuating the operating means for the inflator to thereby inflate the cushion, the flow rate of the pressure fluid from the valve arrangement being set by the selected flow area.

4. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, an inflator operable to provide a source of pressure fluid for inflating the cushion, means for operating the inflator, and a valve arrangement communicating the inflator with the cushion and including a pair of coaxial relatively rotatable members, each including an opening therein, the openings being varyingly alignable upon relative rotation of the members to provide a multiplicity of differently sized flow areas, means for selecting one of the flow areas in accordance with the strength of an acceleration pulse received by the members, control circuit means for actuating the operating means for the inflator, and means included in the control circuit means and actuated upon relative rotation of the members for actuating the control means to actuate the operating means, the flow rate of the pressure fluid from the valve arrangement being set by the selected flow area.

5. An occupant restraint system comprising, in combination, an inflatable occupant restraint cushion, an inflator operable to provide pressure fluid for inflating the cushion, means for operating the inflator, and a valve arrangement communicating the inflator with the cushion and including a pair of coaxial relatively Rotatable members, each including an opening therein, the openings being varyingly alignable upon relative rotation of the members to provide a multiplicity of differently sized flow areas, means rotating the members relative to each other in accordance with the strength of an acceleration pulse received by the members to select one of the flow areas, switch means actuated by relative rotation of the members and the selection of a flow area, and control circuit means including the switch means and the operating means and responsive to actuation of the switch means for actuating the operating means to operate the inflator, the flow rate of the pressure fluid from the valve arrangement being set by the selected flow area.